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Where are they now?

As I work on building the alumni articles for this year, I came across this great article which conveys it is possible to take a range of unconventional pathways as one works towards a dream role. While the student is not a former MSCW student, the program and steps taken, including VET (Allied Health Assistance), SBATs and a university course transfer are accessible to our students.

This article by Gemma Chilton was sourced from the Careers with STEM webpage on 25 January 2022

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Jennifer's transition from school into her dream course at university has been an unconventional one.

Jennifer Myers dreams of becoming an occupational therapist, even if it means taking an unconventional path to get there

Jennifer first heard of STEM in year 8, but says she dismissed it as something “only for high achievers”. Thankfully, she didn’t let those early misconceptions stop her. Now she’s on a study path towards her dream job of becoming an occupational therapist (OT) – a health profession that helps people with physical or cognitive impairments to gain independence.

Jennifer undertook a school-based traineeship in Allied Health Assistance in years 11 and 12. This included one day per week working at a hospital, gaining hands-on skills in the health sectors of medical imaging, dietetics, speech pathology, occupational therapy and physiotherapy.

Leaving your comfort zone

Jennifer says choosing a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course has given her valuable industry experience and helped to clarify her career aspirations. In 2020 Jennifer won the School-based Trainee of the Year award and went on to become a Training Awards mentor. Jennifer says in addition to her studies, this experience has been an important part of her development.

“Going from a student working around the different departments at the hospital to an allied health assistant, advocating, judging and mentoring for the VET pathway for the Australian Training Awards has pushed me out of my comfort zone and into a new role of leadership and responsibility,” she says.

Taking the leap

After finishing school with a VET qualification already under her belt, Jennifer was accepted into her second university preference – a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at the Australian Catholic University. With the first year completed, Jennifer has now transferred into a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy.

“My transition from school into my dream course at university has been an unconventional one,” Jennifer says – but she’s still found value and opportunity every step of the way. “I’ve found this ‘bridging’ course to be incredibly valuable as an introduction to university, providing the foundational knowledge to human biology, technology and scientific research.” Stepping out of her comfort zone has spilled into her everyday life now, too: “A few weeks ago I went skydiving… and, crazily enough, I loved it!”

 

Jennifer’s study and career pathway